Southern California -- this just in

Search for missing swimmer near Dana Point called off

The search for a swimmer missing for more than 24 hours in
the rough ocean surf off the Dana Point coastline was called off late Monday
afternoon by three Orange County agencies.

Frank Daniel Austin, 34, of Rowland Heights, was reported missing by his mother about
7:30 p.m. Sunday, about three hours after he entered the water, according to
Capt. Steve Doan of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff’s deputies, along
with the Coast Guard and Orange County lifeguards, launched a search by air and
sea until about 10 p.m., when it was too dark to continue. The search resumed
at dawn Monday.

Lifeguards could not attempt a
scuba dive because of the rough surf, which was breaking up to 9 feet, but
might do so when conditions improve, said Jason Young, lifeguard chief. On
Monday, searchers were still hampered by high surf, strong currents and poor
visibility, he said.

Young said Austin was presumed
dead but that lifeguards would continue to look for remains on their regular
patrols of the Salt Creek area coastline.

“Lifeguards will still patrol the entire coast
by foot and in patrol units until something shows up,” he said.